More than 112 million consumers in the US have given the 'thumbs up' for biometric technology applications, with personal convenience and security uses driving public enthusiasm, according to the 'Changing Behaviours in Retail Commerce' survey from Kelton Research Group and BioPay.
According to the survey, regardless of whether their preferred of payment is a credit card, a debit card, cheques, or cash, three out of five US consumers agreed that the image of their fingerprint would be the most difficult form of identification to forge or steal. Consumers' confidence in biometric technology (such as fingerprints, iris scans, etc.) far exceeded their confidence in any combination of a passport, photo ID, credit card, birth certificate and signature.
The survey, conducted by Kelton Research and commissioned by biometrics payment firm BioPay, aimed to provide insight into consumer payment preferences and behaviours. In America the effect of identity theft and related fraud is reported to be somewhere in the region of US$52.6 billion, and is growing each year, according to the Identity Theft Survey (from Javelin/Better Business Bureau).
Other findings
The survey also found that:
- Trust: More Americans think finger images are a more secure form of identity (51%) than passports, credit cards, photo IDs, birth certificates and signatures combined (36%).
- Age and gender: Women Take to Technology. Women under the age of 44 showed more confidence in the use of finger image technology (63%) than men of the same age (48%).
- Cash: Because consumers have concerns about payment security, for day-to-day transactions 30% currently prefer using cash.
- Speed: Almost half (48%) of respondents blamed long check-out lines on people who wait until the last minute to find their credit or debit card. Another 20% believed cheque writing is a nuisance.
For additional information:
· Visit Kelton Research at http://www.keltonresearch.com
· Visit BioPay at http://www.biopay.com